British–Nigerian actor John Boyega, widely recognized for his portrayal of Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, captivated audiences at Fan Expo Canada 2025 in Toronto. During the event, Boyega shared insights into his journey into acting, his passion for the Star Wars franchise, and the motivation behind founding his own production company.
He also entertained attendees with a humorous impersonation of his father, providing a lively moment during his appearance. Throughout the discussion, Boyega emphasized the importance of using his platform to spark meaningful change in the entertainment industry.
From School Plays to Casting Call Success
John Boyega’s initial exposure to acting came from performing in a school production of Anansi the Spider, a story he affectionately described as “basically the Jamaican Spider-Man.” This experience ignited his passion for acting, despite his parents’ initial reservations about his career choice. Boyega’s parents, who had put aside their own aspirations, supported him by taking him to various auditions while raising him and his sisters.
Boyega honed his craft at the Identity School of Acting, connected to the Identity Agency Group. Early in his career, he faced considerable challenges, receiving little interest from agencies. Determined, he pursued every casting opportunity, including small roles and working as an extra. He humorously noted that viewers might even catch a glimpse of his finger in a crowd scene in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.
His breakthrough arrived through casting director Nina Gold, who encouraged him to audition for the film Attack the Block. Gold’s belief that Boyega was “brilliant, made for Hollywood” helped him secure the role that marked his rise to prominence. This British sci-fi film about an alien invasion of South London found success beyond the UK, boosted by celebrity fans like Chris Brown and Rihanna.
The film’s US release by Screen Gems required only American subtitles, underscoring the authenticity and originality that attracted diverse audiences.
Transitioning from London Streets to Star Wars Stardom
After the success of Attack the Block, which was showcased at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Boyega caught the attention of several American directors, including Star Wars director JJ Abrams. Born in 1992, Boyega grew up initially watching the Star Wars prequel trilogy, which he described as,
“They were my main Star Wars movie.”
As his interest expanded, he explored the original trilogy and related Star Wars video games.
Boyega expressed a particular fondness for science fiction projects, adding, “Filming sci-fi is fun,” and dismissing complaints from other actors about acting against empty sets. Among his favorite memories was filming the high-energy chase scene on the desert planet Jakku, shot in Abu Dhabi, where he and co-star Daisy Ridley followed laser pointers to avoid explosions. He joked,
“That’s what Bruce Willis would do.”
A defining moment came when director JJ Abrams invited Boyega and Ridley on a buggy drive, revealing
“on the horizon, it’s just a life-size Millennium Falcon.”
However, Boyega’s excitement about joining the franchise was tempered by the racist backlash he began to experience once promotional activities started. When he shared the negativity with his father, his dad responded calmly,
“Is this not what happens to celebrities?”
This remark helped Boyega stay resilient despite the challenges.
Boyega Reflects on Finn’s Limited Character Development
While Finn is beloved by many fans, John Boyega has openly acknowledged his disappointment over how the character was handled in the Star Wars sequels. Speaking at Fan Expo Canada, he revealed how fans frequently expressed feelings that Finn had been treated unfairly in the storytelling. Although Boyega often reassured them that the creative teams had done “the best they could,” he admitted to concealing his true feelings.
After finishing his final contract, Boyega decided to speak candidly about his experiences in the franchise, shedding the restraint he had shown publicly. This honesty led to misunderstandings among some, who perceived him as antagonistic. However, he clarified,
“But it wasn’t in a negative way. I feel like that’s the misconception. I feel like if you love anything, like you if you love anime, you’re debating your favorite anime. If you love movies, you’re debating about it. And for those who love Star Wars, there’s no way you love Star Wars and you haven’t had a debate, even if it’s who’s better, you know, Mace Windu or Obi-Wan.”
In discussing this with his co-star Oscar Isaac, Boyega found support, with Isaac encouraging him to continue voicing his views without fear.
The Drive to Influence Industry Decisions
During his time on the Star Wars sets, Boyega noticed convoys of official cars arriving on set and became curious about their purpose. His instinct to remain informed led him to take the initiative to find out more, stating,
“I’d be like, Daisy, Oscar, I’ll let you know what happens, but I’ll risk it.”
He soon discovered these visitors were studio executives who held significant authority over character arcs and story directions. Recognizing the importance of having creative input behind the scenes, Boyega was inspired to establish his own production company, UpperRoom Productions.
Through UpperRoom, he aims to champion diverse storytelling and greater control over narratives. Boyega has already produced films like Pacific Rim: Uprising and is set to produce the upcoming sequel to Attack the Block, which director Joe Cornish has crafted with a “phenomenal” script. This venture demonstrates Boyega’s commitment to shaping projects that reflect broader perspectives and voices.
While fans remain uncertain about Boyega’s future with Star Wars as Finn, his expanding portfolio and the highly anticipated Attack the Block sequel promise to sustain his presence in the industry for years to come.
